THE omnibus film “Huwebes, Huwebes” took home the award for Best Music at the 43rd Gawad Urian Awards held on Nov. 10 for the track “Usa Ka Libo Ug Usa Ka Panamilit.”

The triptych “Huwebes, Huwebes” is directed by Januar Yap (“Maharlika”), Kris Villarino (“Pa-Burger sa Camotes”) and Don Gerardo Frasco (“Takot Reef”). The track “Usa Ka Libo Ug Usa Ka Panamilit” was featured in “Maharlika,” and was composed by Jude Gitamondoc, Cindy Velasquez, and interpreted by Cattski.

“Usa Ka Libo Ug Usa Ka Panamilit’ is very special to me,” shared Gitamondoc. “I wrote it based on the poetry of my friend Cindy as an entry to Cebu Pop. But this recent Gawad Urian win is really all about the film. The song is just one of the many layers of the masterpiece that is ‘Huwebes Huwebes.”

The annual Gawad Urian Awards is regarded as the counterpart of the United States’ New York Film Critics Circle.

“The Gawad Urian nominations were beyond our expectations. We shot ‘Huwebes, Huwebes’ to be the opening film for the 2019 Binisaya Film Festival but it has since then made the rounds,” shared Yap.

“It was an honor for our small film to be in a roster of strong contenders. The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino jurists have also written reviews of ‘Huwebes, Huwebes’ and we felt honored that the film’s message was recognized and articulated.”

The winning track “Usa Ka Libo Ug Usa Ka Panamilit” was nominated for Best Music alongside the entries from the following films: “Kalel, 15;” “Cleaners;” “Ulan;” “Metamorphosis” and “Babae at Baril.”

“I always liked the song since I first heard it some years back. To have it in ‘Huwebes, Huwebes’ in Januar Yap’s ‘Maharlika’ provides a sort of relief for the audience after watching the film, that maybe, everything will be alright,” shared Villarino.

“It also shows the strong ties between Cebu’s film, music, and art communities,” Villarino added.

“Huwebes, Huwebes” can be viewed through occasional screenings or streamings in upcoming regional film, art festivals. / LQ3